Defending Champion Mavericks are Now Must-See TV

The champagne isn't quite dry and the NBA lockout is just getting started, but how good does it sound to be already talking about the defending champion Mavericks?

Once a soft, underachieving team that nobody outside the Metroplex gave a dang about watching, the Mavs are now national hoops darlings. With Tuesday's release of the 2011-12 schedule, Dallas is featured 30 times on national TV to match the Boston Celtics for most appearances.

The Mavs begin the season by raising their championship banner Nov. 1 at American Airlines Center against the Chicago Bulls on TNT, and will host the Miami Heat on ABC as part of a marquee triple-header on Christmas day.

In all they play 10 games on ESPN, 10 on TNT, seven on NBA TV and three on ABC.